Pia Dijkstra | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Dijkstra in 2017 | |
| Minister for Medical Care | |
| In office 2 February 2024 – 2 July 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Conny Helder[a] |
| Succeeded by | Vicky Maeijer[b] |
| Member of theHouse of Representatives | |
| In office 17 June 2010 – 31 March 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Pietje Aafke Dijkstra (1954-12-09)9 December 1954 (age 70) Franeker, Netherlands |
| Political party | Democrats 66 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation |
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Pietje Aafke "Pia"Dijkstra (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈpijaːˈdɛikstraː]; born 9 December 1954) is a Dutch politician of theDemocrats 66 (D66) and former television presenter. From 2010 to 2021, she served as a member of theHouse of Representatives. She wasMinister for Medical Care in thedemissionaryfourth Rutte cabinet from February 2024 until July 2024.
Dijkstra was born inFraneker, and she completed her secondary education inSneek andLeeuwarden with agymnasium diploma. She studied theology at theUniversity of Amsterdam between 1974 and 1978, but she did not obtain any degree. She subsequently worked as a producer and spokesperson forInterkerkelijke Omroep Nederland (IKON) for six years and as a creator and host forRadio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) for four years. Dijkstra became a reporter for theNCRV current affairs programHier en Nu [nl] in 1986.[1] She wasnews anchor of theNOS Journaal from 1988 until 2000, and she hosted several television and radio shows such asVinger aan de Pols [nl] andHet Kinderziekenhuis in the following decade forAVRO.[1][2]
She served as a member of theHouse of Representatives from 2010 to 2021, focusing on issues such as healthcare,medical ethics, and emancipation. She introduced a bill to have citizens marked asorgan donor by default in thedonor registry, which was enacted into law after passing both houses of parliament.[3] By 2024, the measure had led to a 50% increase in citizens who had recorded their preference in the registry.[4] Proposed legislation by Dijkstra to allow foreuthanasia in the absence of intolerable suffering for those over 75 years of age did not garner enough support. Her initial 2019 plan was criticized by theCouncil of State.[5][3] Near the end of her last term, she wrote a bill to abolish a five-day waiting period forabortions.Jan Paternotte took over her proposal, and it was approved by the parliament in 2022.[3]
Dijkstra was appointedMinister for Medical Care in thedemissionaryfourth Rutte cabinet on 2 February 2024, following the resignation ofErnst Kuipers as Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport the month before. Minister for Long-term Care and SportConny Helder had succeeded Kuipers in an acting capacity, and continued to lead theMinistry of Health, Welfare and Sport after transferring the medical care portfolio to Dijkstra.[5] Dijkstra's responsibilities includedcurative care,health insurance,medication,medical ethics,COVID-19, andpandemic preparedness.[1] Her term as minister ended on 2 July 2024, when theSchoof cabinet was sworn in.[6]
Dijkstra marriedGerlach Cerfontaine [nl] on 1 September 1992, and they have three children.[1][7]
Media related toPia Dijkstra at Wikimedia Commons| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded byas Minister for Long-term Care and Sport | Minister for Medical Care 2024 | Succeeded byas State Secretary for Long-term and Social Care |
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